New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-12

declares that In the art OF writing short STORIES Amer
can authors are greater procents than their Engsh
rivals and II adds: mo English writer, for example
has produced series OF tales brief enough to be read III
one short sitting which at all comparable In some OF
the highest artistic qualities TO Hawthones Twcetod
Tales and Moses from Old Manse, or 10 Edgar
Poe's Tales Of Mystery and Imagination : and though
of course Hawthorne and Poe Of quite excep-
tonal genius who cannot perhaps be fairly counted no
intelligent reader OF the lighter American and English
magazines In which short stories are numerous can ai
to feel how much original in theme and more artis-
tic in treatment work in the former than In the
latter"
II is said that Of certain cheap edition OF Rider Hag
CARDS "she $4,000 copies have been sold In this
country With this estimate as guide, it becomes clear
that putting all the editions together several hundred
thousand copies, bound and unbound, must have been
sold in the United States. The Pail Mall Gd-tle says
that Mr.. Haggards royalties from America have as yet
enly amounted about $65; but we are inclined to
think that The Gazette is mistaken about this, as about
other questions concerning Mr.. Haggard
Mr. Haggard lately gave this account OF the germ
from which the story of She" grew: Some time ago.
lady well acquainted with Africa wrote me some notes
OF native legends One of them runs follows: In
the sneeuw snow Bergen Cape Colony there are inn
mense caves which stretch and on under the noun
tains and end of which has never been found 1t is
believed by both Beers and natives that In the last cave
there spring of water which, III one mas ana drinks
of IT, gives eternal youth There endless stories told
OF adventurous parties in search OF this water of life
losing their way meeting dangers both ghosty and
bodily and falling in their object at last. newly
married couple never returned from their search and it
was believed that harm had happened to them because
OF the crimes the woman had committed In order to
gain her husband She had killed her first husband and
his brother whom by native law she would have had to
marry she had children and she had bewitched the
man er second husband that he followed her about
like shadow and did everything he told by her"
Here found the germ Of She :. 1t will be seen that,
without wishing TO lay any particular claim TO origi
nality may fairly say that have to some extent deye
oped the idea"
"Fantlne," the first volume OF W. r. Jenktnss new
edition OF Victor ugos Les MIsernblcs," has been
published As piece OF book-madng 1t Is very credit
able to tho publisher. The type Is large and clear the
paper good the cloth binding particularly neat and
tasteful and the whole appearance OF the book attractive
and satisfactory. Mr.. jenkins has made good and
promising beginning in what is quite line for
American publishers So conscientious and thorough
piece OF work should produce results justifying and
encouraging the extension of the undertaking
embrace the issue other French classics In the
handsome and substantial FORM
Mr.. william Cushing denies the report that he has
given up the publication Of his proposed volume OF
"Anonyms." lie has already collected nearly u 900
titles.